Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Graham Capital Management L.P.

Graham Capital Management L.P. cut its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 70.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 9,850 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 22,934 shares during the quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,767,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 13.4% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 188,765 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $43,227,000 after purchasing an additional 22,369 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 0.9% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $274,248,000 after buying an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 5.1% in the fourth quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 12,731 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,284,000 after buying an additional 618 shares in the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 26.4% in the fourth quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 1,315 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $241,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the period. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $72,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 4.4%

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $8.29 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $196.12. 930,594 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 753,641. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.04, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $177.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $185.62. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.99 and a twelve month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.70 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.41%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.49%.

Universal Health Services Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. The company's hospitals offer general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic and coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services, and/or behavioral health services.